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Sunday, September 10, 2023

Game. Set. Coco.


Yep, the kid is alright. Not that it was ever really a huge gamble to think that she wouldn't be, for even in tennis sometimes all it takes is a little fine tuning.



Save for a spare instance here and there, precious few moments of note on the WTA tour since Wimbledon *haven't* involved Coco Gauff. The 19-year old has been at or adjacent to nearly every big plot development over the past two months, ever since the fateful decision to redesign her coaching team following a 1st Round exit at Wimbledon.

As the hard court summer began, after spending her teenage years as a leading presence on tour, Top 10 player, slam finalist and seemingly "all-around good egg," Gauff had yet to make THE LEAP (i.e. win a slam, or look like she was about to) that was predicted for her from the moment she became a "one-name star," which was pretty much on Day 1 when she reached the Round of 16 in her Wimbledon debut four years ago.

Over the course of the summer, though, the leap was made. Coming into this U.S. Open final, all she'd done since Wimbleodon was win, win, win in this "Summer of Coco."

Well, she *did* lose. Once. Back in August in Montreal, in the semis to her doubles partner Jessie Pegula, who'd go on to win the tournament. Still, at 17-1 on summer hard courts, 4-1 vs. the Top 10, Gauff won two titles in Washington and Cincinnati, the latter the biggest of her career and having included her first win over #1 Iga Swiatek in eight tries (and with zero previous sets won). She came into New York riding a wave of success and confidence simply by upping her in-match aggression and putting extra emphasis on her serve. As for her superb defense... yeah, the new team just let it be to speak for itself.

Even at the year's final slam, Gauff has often been centerstage, either by choice, form or circumstance. Starting with the "slowdown" controversy against Laura Siegemund in her opening match, to a match-up with an even *younger* would-be star in Mirra Andreeva, a clash with returned former #1 Caroline Wozniacki, the dousing with water what had been an on-fire Alona Ospapenko after the Latvian knocked off Swiatek, and all the way through a semifinal defeat of Karolina Muchova that had largely been overshadowed by a nearly hour-long interruption by protesters that included feet being glued to the Ashe stadium floor.

Gauff has been in the proverbial *room* where it's happened, now she was the youngest U.S. woman to reach the Open final since Serena Williams in 1999, and looking to become the second teenager (w/ Emma Raducanu '21) to claim the title in three years. This time could *she* make it happen.

Standing in her way was Aryna Sabalenka, the player who would rise to become the new #1 on Monday (thanks to Ostapenko's win over Iga) no matter the result on this day. While Gauff has ruled the summer, the '23 season has been characterized by the rise of the Belarusian, who opened the season on a 14-match tear, winning the Australian Open and (like Gauff) reeling off 17 wins in an 18-match stretch. The rest of her season had consisted of slowly gaining on Swiatek, but also blowing major opportunities for even greater accomplishments after squandering 3rd set leads in the semifinals of Roland Garros (vs. Muchova) and Wimbledon (vs. Ons Jabeur).

The losses rekindled memories of Sabalenka's star-crossed early career, when she failed to reach a QF in her first 14 slam MD, then even after she finally did so had to do battle with her own serve through the first half of last season until finally hiring a biomechanic coach to work out the many flaws in her serving motion. After ending '22 with a WTAF week that saw her get wins over the world's top three players, Sabalenka has responded in '23 by reaching at least the SF at all four slams (five consecutive, and 7 of 9), winning her maiden slam and now playing into a second final.

Speaking of that, as we neared "elevation eve" in the WTA rankings, it was as if the Tennis Gods owed Sabalenka something for all her hard work, so they sent her Madison Keys to collapse two days ago while serving up 6-0/5-3 (and leading 4-2 in the 3rd) of their semifinal match. You're welcome, Aryna.

But what would Sabalenka do with her winning lottery ticket?

What was billed as a match-up of the tour's "best offensive" player vs. the "best defensive" player began with the games being decided by which player could avoid the untimely unforced error.

After having stunningly found her way into the final, Sabalenka opened the match with a break of serve, as Gauff's errors from the forehand side put her in an immediate hole to start the day. On her second BP, the Belarusian's backhand crosscourt winner put her up 1-0. Three games later, after falling behind love/30, then double-faulting for 15/40, a Sabalenka forehand error put the set back on serve at 2-2.

But it didn't last long, as Sabalenka got the break back a game later, firing a big forehand that Gauff couldn't get back on her third BP.

In game 6, though Sabalenka would get the hold for 4-2, a pattern that would soon play a big role found its footing in the match as Gauff carved out three BP chances with outstanding side-to-side defense, getting back several big Sabalenka shots per rally until the Belarusian finally missed. Sabalenka's serve saved her with an ace on the second BP, and she held her lead.

A Gauff forehand error off an off-pace Sabalenka shot put her behind 15/40 in game 7, and then a backhand error handed Sabalenka an additional break. Sabalenka then served out the set at 6-2 and was a set away from becoming just the second woman this century (w/ Angelique Kerber in 2016, the only since Martina Hingis in '97) to sweep the AO/US titles in the same season.

In the 2nd set, though, and for the rest of the match, something fundamentally changed, as Gauff's game settled, she gradually increased her aggression and her sometimes-astounding defense served to frustrate the soon-to-be world #1, forcing Sabalenka to hit half a dozen (or more) shots that would have ended rallies against most foes, but vs. Gauff on this day were sent back again and again (and again), often causing her to press or go for just a bit (too much) more and end the rally with an unforced (but not *really* unforced) error. If that didn't happen, Gauff would instead take advantage of an opening and do the honors on her own with a winner that would ignite the Ashe court crowd.

The opening games saw both players hold their ground, but in game 4 Gauff saved a Sabalenka GP with a crosscourt backhand pass. A Sabalenka forehand error and DF later and Gauff was up a break at 3-1. Sabalenka had the chance to get back on serve a game later, but sent a forehand wide on BP as Gauff got the hold. Serving at 5-3, the teenager served out the set and sent things to a decider.



In the 3rd, Sabalenka would continue to hit the ball hard, but Gauff would also continue to get everything back over the net from all corners of the court, usually getting the better of the exchange.

Up 30/15 in the opening game, Sabalenka's forehand error opened a door for trouble at 30/30, and right on cue Gauff's defense led to a Sabalenka error and a BP chance. Outlasting some absolutely ridiculous defense from Gauff, Sabalenka saved the BP, but than another forehand error (her 20th from that wing) offered another opportunity. A Gauff deep shot was followed by a Sabalenka ball that popped up off the net cord. Gauff raced to retrieve it, putting her in perfect position for a volley winner off Sabalenka's shot up the middle to get the opening game break.

Two games later, Sabalenka clawed back to 30-all from a love/30 start, but pulled a backhand and was BP down again. A long forehand made it 3-0, with Gauff now up a double-break. Gauff then rallied from 15/30 to hold with a backhand passing shot to extend her lead to 4-0.

Sabalenka finally got on the board with a hold for 4-1, but it was clear it would take a Keys-like collapse to pull her back into the match. Operating with a bit of a cushion, Gauff couldn't extend her lead, falling behind 15/40 and giving back one of her breaks.

She had one final hurdle to clear.

With a slight opening to *possibly* hold on a little longer, Sabalenka served now down just a single break at 4-2. But, again, she found herself victimized by the overriding story of the 2nd and 3rd sets as the teenager played an "ultra" version of her game. Once again, Gauff extended a rally by multiple shots with great defensive gets, then saw it end with an error from the Belarusian. Sabalenka followed with a DF and found herself down 15/40. Gauff got the break and served for the U.S. Open title.

Within moments -- and three Sabalenka errors later -- Gauff was at triple MP. She put away her maiden slam crown with a backhand passing shot down the line on her first MP, winning 2-6/6-3/6-2, becoming the third teen from the U.S. to win the Open crown (after Tracy Austin and Serena Williams).



After winning her third of seven matches at this U.S. Open after dropping the 1st set, Gauff was suddenly down again. On her back, that is. A hug with Sabalenka followed, as well as a moment to take it all in. Gauff took to the stands to celebrate with her parents and family, as well as her new coaches and tennis team.



Receiving her $3 million winner's check, in the 50th anniversary year of equal pay at the U.S. Open, Gauff thanked Billie Jean King in person for making it possible. Moments later, BJK presented her with the women's singles trophy.

Sometimes it just works out that way.



Meanwhile, watching it all, a bit scattered during her on-court interview and clearly not knowing how to react to it all was Sabalenka, as it's likely a little lost in the conversation that, unlike Gauff, she's *never* lost a slam final before. She'll receive a nice consolation prize on Monday as she moves to #1 (and becomes just the 8th woman in tour history to have topped the rankings in both singles *and* doubles), and now with an 1100-point *lead* on #2 Iga Swiatek she has what remains of her (and the WTA's) '23 season plotline pretty well outlined as the two fight it out for the *season-ending* #1 ranking.

Well, unless Gauff isn't quite finished, I guess.

With Coco set to climb into the #3 ranking next week, as she also returns to #1 in doubles (w/ Pegula), one wonders if things have finally happened fast *enough* for some people now.



After the match, even Gauff somewhat referenced -- while noting those who attempted to throw "water on my fire" as she moved her way through the greatest summer of her tennis life -- the impatient lot that have often refused to accept how much she'd accomplished as a teenager even *before* this U.S. Open. Pessimism in some corners has hounded the edges of her tennis life the last few years, even as she reached the Top 10, was briefly the doubles #1 (2022), played in slam singles *and* doubles finals ('22 RG s/d, '21 US wd), and won multiple tour titles.

Of course, perhaps some level of backlash was natural, considering the landslide of could-have-been-overwhelming pressure and predictions that accompanied her introduction to the tennis landscape with her defeat of Venus Williams in the 1st Round of Wimbledon as a 15-year old. With so many corporate entities looking to glom onto what they were being told was "the next big thing," it could have been a very different Gauff that emerged than the seemingly level-headed and perspective-rich individual we see four years later.

She surely owes much to her family for keeping her centered, on track, and *not* a disingenuous egomaniac. It easily could have gone the other way. We've certainly seen it before in this sport.

A slam winner before turning 20, with *this* part of her tennis journey complete, Gauff's family (and later she) donned t-shirts on Saturday that recalled a marketing slogan ("Call Me Coco"... something I'd honestly forgotten about) that was part of the early onslaught of attention she received four years ago. Only now the shirts read, "Call Me Coco Champion."



They've earned the right to wear their hearts, quite literally, on their chests. Apparently, it was father Cori who recognized after Wimbledon that the time was right. Time to let go, at least a little. After Coco's early SW19 exit, Cori suggested the switch from the longtime in-house coaching set-up to what ultimately became the Brad Gilbert/Pere Riba team that has become the sideline picture of this summer's Project Coco.

The move has led to a supreme fast-tracking of Gauff's success, with a slam title coming less than two months later.

Thing is, the work isn't even complete. Still more can be done, as Gauff's forehand, the one part of her game that is an acknowledged (and attackable) potential sore point, has yet to be touched by the new team.

In other words, deuces are wild, and the sky is still the limit.






=DAY 13 NOTES=
...once again, weather issues made things tough if a match didn't have a protective roof overhead, but quite a bit still got done early, and then finished up later.

For one, the first (well, as far as this space is concerend, as the men's doubles were decided on Friday) big title was decided as Kazakhstan's Anna Danilina (an ex-NCAAer at Florida) claimed her maiden slam title in the MX alongside Finland's Harri Heliovaari (so we can actually say with a straight face that Anna is now wild about Harri, right?), defeating the top seeded all-U.S. duo of Jessie Pegula & Austin Krajicek by a 6-3/6-4 score in the final.



...one final that didn't *need* to be played was the wheelchair doubles, as the illness that put Jiske Griffioen out of the singles after just one set prevented her from going at all in the final alongside Diede de Groot. So, Yui Kamiji & Kgothatso Montjane picked up the title in a walkover. It's their second slam title this season, having also won Roland Garros.

It's Kamiji's fourth U.S. Open crown, and the 20th doubles slam of her career, just one behind Hall of Famer Esther Vergeer. Aniek Van Koot is the all-time women's leader with 23. De Groot lurks in the shadows with 17.



De Groot and Kamiji are set to play for the singles crown tomorrow, their 17th match-up in a slam final. De Groot has won the last 22 meetings between the two, and leads 14-2 in slam finals. De Groot carries her 121-match singles winning streak into Sunday, of which Kamiji has accounted for more wins (22) than any other player.

...in the junior wheelchair event, #2-seeded Pastry Ksenia Chasteau upset #1-seeded Bannerette Maylee Phelps, winning 6-3/6-1 in the second year of the competition at the U.S. Open. They then combined to win the doubles. Phelps also won a share of the doubles title last year.



...in the junior final, Katherine Hui became the first wild card to win the girls' singles title, defeating #9 seeded Czech Tereza Valentova 6-4/6-4 on her seventh MP (she'd originally served at 5-2) and completing the tournament without dropping a set. The 18-year old had been just the second WC to reach the final. The other, in a nice bit of symmetry, was Coco Gauff in 2017 (she lost to Amanda Anisimova).



18-year old Hui is the 18th U.S. girl to win the Open junior title, and the fourth in the last seven events (the junior competition wasn't held in 2020) since 2016. She'll be playing college tennis for Stanford (in California, but soon to be part of the *Atlantic* Coast Conference).

There was recently a nice article on Hui on the USTA website about the importance of sportsmanship.

In the doubles final, the ROU/RUS pair of Mara Gae & Anastasiia Gureva defeated Japan's Saito sisters (Sara and Nanaka) in a 10-8 MTB.





*WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL*
#6 Coco Gauff/USA def. #2 Aryna Sabalenka/BLR 2-6/6-3/6-2

*WOMEN'S DOUBLES FINAL*
#16 Dabrowski/Routliffe (CAN/NZL) vs. #12 Siegemund/Zvonareva (GER/RUS)

*MIXED DOUBLES FINAL*
Danilina/Heliovaara (KAZ/FIN) def. #1 Pegula/Krajicek (USA/USA) 6-3/6-4

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S FINAL*
#1 Diede de Groot/NED vs. #2 Yui Kamiji/JPN

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S DOUBLES FINAL*
#2 Kamiji/Montjane (JPN/RSA) def. #1 de Groot/Griffioen (NED/NED) walkover

*WHEELCHAIR JUNIOR SINGLES FINAL*
#2 Ksenia Chasteau/FRA def. #1 Maylee Phelps/USA 6-3/6-1

*WHEELCHAIR JUNIOR DOUBLES FINAL*
#1 Chasteau/Phelps (FRA/USA) def. Czauz/Takamuro (USA/JPN) 7-5/6-0

*GIRLS SINGLES FINAL*
(WC) Katherine Hui/USA def. #9 Tereza Valentova/CZE 6-4/6-4

*GIRLS DOUBLES FINAL*
#8 Gae/Gureva (ROU/RUS) def. N.Saito/S.Saito (JPN/JPN) 1-6/7-5 [10-8]







...HMMM, IF THIS WAS "JEOPARDY!" THE QUESTION WOULD BE, "WHAT IS A TWEET THAT WOULD NEVER BE POSTED IF IT WAS SERENA DEFEATING VENUS IN THE FINAL" (I'm just sayin')... ON DAY 13:





...YOU *KNEW* THAT MOMENT WOULD BE A PHOTO... ON DAY 13:





...I'LL NEVER BE A DEFENDER OF ESPN'S TENNIS COVERAGE, BUT... ON DAY 13:




I've never been a huge fan of "on-air Gilbert" (and I'll always "blame" him for coming back from a set down to defeat Boris Becker in sickening Washington summer heat, causing me to nearly have to throw-up over the side of the stands at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center way back when) but, I mean, what are they supposed to do, ignore it? She loses in the 1st Round of Wimbledon, makes the change, then goes 18-1 and wins the U.S. Open. To not make as issue of it would be a case of ignoring the very, very large elephant in the room.

And it's not like this occurrence is a first-time thing when Gilbert steps in as a coach, either (and it's not like they don't give Coco credit).




..."LITTLE ASH WITH A TROPHY" HAS THROWBACK COMPETITION... ON DAY 13:





...FOR THE RECORD, A 1st ROUND LOSS TO KENIN AT WIMBLEDON WAS "THE LAST STRAW"... ON DAY 13:




Your move, Sofia.










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*RECENT WOMEN'S SLAM WINNERS*
2020 AO: Sofia Kenin, USA*
2020 US: Naomi Osaka, JPN
2020 RG: Iga Swiatek, POL*
2021 AO: Naomi Osaka, JPN
2021 RG: Barbora Krejcikova, CZE*
2021 WI: Ash Barty, AUS
2021 US: Emma Raducanu, GBR*
2022 AO: Ash Barty, AUS
2022 RG: Iga Swiatek, POL
2022 WI: Elena Rybakina, KAZ*
2022 US: Iga Swiatek, POL
2023 AO: Aryna Sabalenka, BLR*
2023 RG: Iga Swiatek, POL
2023 WI: Marketa Vondrousova, CZE*
2023 US: Coco Gauff, USA*
--
* - first-time slam champ

*AGE OF 2020s SLAM WINNERS*
18 = Emma Raducanu, GBR (2021 US)
19 = Iga Swiatek, POL (2020 RG)
19 = Coco Gauff, USA (2023 US)
21 = Iga Swiatek, POL (2022 RG)
21 = Iga Swiatek, POL (2022 US)
21 = Sofia Kenin, USA (2020 AO)
22 = Iga Swiatek, POL (2023 RG)
22 = Naomi Osaka, JPN (2020 US)
23 = Naomi Osaka, JPN (2021 AO)
23 = Elena Rybakina, KAZ (2022 WI)
24 = Aryna Sabalenka, BLR (2023 AO)
24 = Marketa Vondrouosva, CZE (2023 WI)
25 = Ash Barty, AUS (2021 WI)
25 = Ash Barty, AUS (2022 AO)
25 = Barbora Krejcikova, CZE (2021 RG)

*RECENT WOMEN'S U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS*
2010 Kim Clijsters, BEL
2011 Samantha Stosur, AUS
2012 Serena Williams, USA
2013 Serena Williams, USA
2014 Serena Williams, USA
2015 Flavia Pennetta, ITA
2016 Angelique Kerber, GER
2017 Sloane Stephens, USA
2018 Naomi Osaka, JPN
2019 Bianca Andreescu, CAN
2020 Naomi Osaka, JPN
2021 Emma Raducanu, GBR
2022 Iga Swiatek, POL
2023 Coco Gauff, USA

*MOST FIRST-TIME SLAM CHAMPS/SEASON (3) - OPEN ERA*
[1978]
AO: Chris O'Neil
RG: Virginia Ruzici
WI: Martina Navratilova
[2004]
RG: Anastasia Myskina
WI: Maria Sharapova
US: Svetlana Kuznetsova
[2011]
RG: Li Na
WI: Petra Kvitova
US: Samantha Stosur
[2018]
AO: Caroline Wozniacki
RG: Simona Halep
US: Naomi Osaka
[2023]
AO: Aryna Sabalenka
WI: Marketa Vondrousova
US: Coco Gauff

*FIRST-TIME SLAM CHAMPS AT U.S. OPEN - OPEN ERA*
1968 Virginia Wade, GBR
1979 Tracy Austin, USA
1990 Gabriela Sabatini, ARG
1998 Lindsay Davenport, USA
1999 Serena Williams, USA
2004 Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS
2005 Kim Clijsters, BEL
2011 Samantha Stosur, AUS
2015 Flavia Pennetta, ITA
2017 Sloane Stephens, USA
2018 Naomi Osaka, JPN
2019 Bianca Andreescu, CAN
2021 Emma Raducanu, GBR
2023 Coco Gauff, USA

*RECORD IN GRAND SLAM SINGLES FINALS--ACTIVE*
16 - Venus Williams (7-9)
5 - Victoria Azarenka (2-3)
5 - Simona Halep (2-3)
4 - Naomi Osaka (4-0)
4 - Iga Swiatek (4-0)
4 - Angelique Kerber (3-1)
4 - Garbine Muguruza (2-2)
3 - Petra Kvitova (2-1)
3 - Caroline Wozniacki (1-2)
3 - Ons Jabeur (0-3)
2 - COCO GAUFF (1-1)
2 - Sofia Kenin (1-1)
2 - Elena Rybakina (1-1)
2 - ARYNA SABALENKA (1-1)
2 - Sloane Stephens (1-1)
2 - Marketa Vondrousova (1-1)
2 - Karolina Pliskova (0-2)
2 - Vera Zvonareva (0-2)
-
ALSO: 4-Svetlana Kuznetsova (2-2)

*SLAM FINALS 2020-23 BY NATION - 15 slams*
6 - USA (2-4) - Gauff
4 - POL (4-0)
4 - CZE (2-2)
3 - BLR (1-2) - Sabalenka
3 - TUN (0-3)
2 - AUS (2-0)
2 - JPN (2-0)
2 - KAZ (1-1)
1 - GBR (1-0)
1 - CAN (0-1)
1 - ESP (0-1)
1 - RUS (0-1)

*RECENT TEEN SLAM CHAMPS*
1997 Martina Hingis, SUI - AO (16)*
1997 Iva Majoli, CRO - RG (19)*
1997 Martina Hingis, SUI - WI (16)
1997 Martina Hingis, SUI - US (16)
1998 Martina Hingis, SUI - AO (17)
1999 Martina Hingis, SUI - AO (18)
1999 Serena Williams, USA - US (17)*
2004 Maria Sharapova, RUS - WI (17)*
2004 Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS - US (19)*
2006 Maria Sharapova, RUS - US (19)
2019 Bianca Andreescu, CAN - US (19)*
2020 Iga Swiatek, POL - RG (19)*
2021 Emma Raducanu, GBR - US (18)*
2023 Coco Gauff, USA - US (19)*
--
* - 1st time slam winner

*TEEN SLAM FINALISTS SINCE 2000*
2000 AO - Martina Hingis, SUI (19)
2001 RG - Kim Clijsters, BEL (18)
2001 WI - Justine Henin, BEL (19)
2001 US - Serena Williams, USA (19)
2003 RG - Kim Clijsters, BEL (19) (19y)
2004 WI - Maria Sharapova, RUS (17) - W
2004 US - Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (19) - W
2006 US - Maria Sharapova, RUS (19) - W
2007 AO - Maria Sharapova, RUS (19)
2009 US - Caroline Wozniacki, DEN (19)
2019 RG - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (19)
2019 US - Bianca Andreescu, CAN (19) - W
2019 RG - Iga Swiatek, POL (19) - W
2021 US - Leylah Fernandez, CAN (19)
2021 US - Emma Raducanu, GBR (18) - W
2022 RG - Coco Gauff, USA (18)
2023 US - Coco Gauff, USA (19) - W

*LOW-SEEDED U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS - OPEN ERA*
Unseeded/Wild Card - Kim Clijsters, BEL (2009)
Unseeded - Sloane Stephens, USA (2017)
Qualifier - Emma Raducanu, GBR (2021)
#26 - Flavia Pennetta, ITA (2015)
#20 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (2018)
#15 - Bianca Andreescu, CAN (2019)
#9 - Samantha Stosur, AUS (2011)
#9 - Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (2004)
#7 - Serena Williams, USA (1999)
#6 - COCO GAUFF, USA (2023)
#6 - Virginia Wade, GBR (1968)

*WTA #1 IN SINGLES/DOUBLES IN CAREER [8]*
[-chronological order of accomplishment-]
Martina Navratilova
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
Lindsay Davenport
Martina Hingis
Kim Clijsters
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Aryna Sabalenka

*BEST U.S. OPEN GIRLS/WOMEN'S RESULTS*
[won Girls & Women's titles]
Lindsay Davenport (1992 Jr. Champion; 1998 Women's champion)
[others]
Martina Hingis (1994 Junior RU; 1997 Women's Champion)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (2001 Junior RU; 2004 Women's champion)
Victoria Azarenka (2005 Junior champion; 2012-13/20 Women's RU)
Coco Gauff (2017 Junior RU; 2023 Women's champion)

*RECENT U.S. OPEN GIRLS FINALS*
2014 Marie Bouzkova/CZE d. Anhelina Kalinina/UKR
2015 Dalma Galfi/HUN d. Sonya Kenin/USA
2016 Kayla Day/USA d. Viktoria Kuzmova/SVK
2017 Amanda Anisimova/USA d. Coco Gauff/USA
2018 Wang Xiyu/CHN d. Clara Burel/FRA
2019 Maria (Camila Osorio) Serrano/COL d. Alexandra Yepifanova/USA
2020 DNP
2021 Robin Montgomery/USA d. Kristina Dmitruk/BLR
2022 Alex Eala/PHI d. Lucie Havlickova/CZE
2023 Katherine Hui/USA d. Tereza Valentova/CZE

*RECENT SLAM JUNIOR CHAMPS*
[2018]
AO: Liang En-shuo, TPE
RG: Coco Gauff, USA
WI: Iga Swiatek, POL
US: Wang Xiyu, CHN
[2019]
AO: Clara Tauson, DEN
RG: Leylah Fernandez, CAN
WI: Daria Snigur, UKR
US: Maria (Camila Osorio) Serrano, COL
[2020]
AO: Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, AND
US: DNP
RG: Elsa Jacquemot, FRA
[2021]
RG: Linda Noskova, CZE
WI: Ane Mintegi del Olmo, ESP
US: Robin Montgomery, USA
[2022]
AO: Petra Marcinko, CRO
RG: Lucie Havlickova, CZE
WI: Liv Hovde, USA
US: Alex Eala, PHI
[2023]
AO: Alina Korneeva, RUS
RG: Alina Korneeva, RUS
WI: Clervie Ngounoue, USA
US: Katherine Hui, USA

*U.S. GIRLS SINGLES CHAMPS AT U.S. OPEN*
1978 Linda Siegel
1979 Alycia Moulton
1980 Susan Mascarin
1981 Zina Garrison
1982 Beth Herr
1986 Elly Hakami
1988 Carrie Cunningham
1989 Jennifer Capriati
1992 Lindsay Davenport
1994 Meilen Tu
1995 Tara Snyder
2008 CoCo Vandeweghe
2011 Grace Min
2012 Samantha Crawford
2016 Kayla Day
2017 Amanda Anisimova
2021 Robin Montgomery
2023 Katherine Hui

*RECENT GIRLS DOUBLES SLAM CHAMPIONS*
[2018]
AO: Liang En-Shuo/Wang Xinyu (TPE/CHN)
RG: Caty McNally/Iga Swiatek (USA/POL)
WI: Wang Xinyu/Wang Xiyu (CHN/CHN)
US: Coco Gauff/Caty McNally (USA/USA)
[2019]
AO: Natsumi Kawaguchi/Adrienn Nagy (JPN/HUN)
RG: Chloe Beck/Emma Navarro (USA/USA)
WI: Savannah Broadus/Abigail Forbes (USA/USA)
US: Kamilla Bartone/Oksana Selekhmetova (LAT/RUS)
[2020]
AO: Alex Eala/Priska Madelyn Nugroho (PHI/INA)
RG: Eleonora Alvisi/Lisa Pigoti (ITA/ITA)
[2021]
RG: Alex Eala/Oksana Selekmeteva (PHI/RUS)
WI: Kristina Dmitruk/Diana Shnaider (BLR/RUS)
US: Ashlyn Krueger/Robin Montgomery (USA/USA)
[2022]
AO: Clervie Ngounoue/Diana Shnaider (USA/RUS)
RG: Sara Bejlek/Lucie Havlickova (CZE/CZE)
WI: Rose Marie Nijkamp/Angella Okutoyi (NED/KEN)
US: Lucie Havlickova/Diana Shnaider (CZE/RUS)
[2023]
AO: Renata Jamrichova/Federica Urgesi (SVK/ITA)
RG: Tyra Caterina Grant/Clervie Ngounoue (USA/USA)
WI: Alena Kovackova/Laura Samsonova (CZE/CZE)
US: Mara Gae/Anastasiia Gureva (ROU/RUS)

*RECENT U.S. OPEN GIRLS DOUBLES CHAMPIONS*
2010 Timea Babos / Sloane Stephens, HUN/USA
2011 Irina Khromacheva / Demi Schuurs, RUS/NED
2012 Gabby Andrews / Taylor Townsend, USA/USA
2013 Barbora Krejcikova / Katerina Siniakova, CZE/CZE
2014 Ipek Soylu / Jil Teichmann, TUR/SUI
2015 Viktoria Kuzmova / Aleksandra Pospelova, SVK/RUS
2016 Jada Myii Hart / Ena Shibahara, USA/USA
2017 Olga Danilovic / Marta Kostyuk, SRB/UKR
2018 Coco Gauff / Caty McNally, USA/USA
2019 Kamilla Bartone / Oksana Selekmeteva, LAT/RUS
2020 DNP
2021 Ashlyn Krueger / Robin Montgomery, USA/USA
2022 Lucie Havlickova / Diana Shnaider, CZE/RUS
2023 Mara Gae / Anastasiia Gureva, ROU/RUS

*RECENT U.S. OPEN MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPIONS*
2010 Liezel Huber / Bob Bryan, USA/USA
2011 Melanie Oudin / Jack Sock, USA/USA
2012 Ekaterina Makarova / Bruno Soares, RUS/BRA
2013 Andrea Hlavackova / Max Mirnyi, CZE/BLR
2014 Sania Mirza / Bruno Soares, IND/BRA
2015 Martina Hingis / Leander Paes, SUI/IND
2016 Laura Siegemund / Mate Pavic, GER/CRO
2017 Martina Hingis / Jamie Murray, SUI/GBR
2018 Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Jamie Murray, USA/GBR
2019 Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Jamie Murray, USA/GBR
2020 DNP
2021 Desirae Krawczyk / Joe Salisbury, USA/GBR
2022 Storm Sanders / John Peers, AUS/AUS
2023 Anna Danilina / Harri Heliovaara, KAZ/FIN

*RECENT MX SLAM CHAMPIONS*
[2020]
AO: Barbora Krejcikova/Nikola Mektic (CZE/CRO)
[2021]
AO: Barbora Krejcikova/Rajeev Ram (CZE/USA)
RG: Desirae Krawczyk/Joe Salisbury (USA/GBR)
WI: Desirae Krawczyk/Neal Skupski (USA/GBR)
US: Desirae Krawczyk/Joe Salisbury (USA/GBR)
[2022]
AO: Kristina Mladenovic/Ivan Dodig (FRA/CRO)
RG: Ena Shibahara/Wesley Koolhof (JPN/NED)
WI: Desirae Krawczyk/Neal Skupski (USA/GBR)
US: Storm Sanders/John Peers (AUS/AUS)
[2023]
AO: Luisa Stefani/Rafael Matos (BRA/BRA)
RG: Miyu Kato/Tim Puetz (JPN/GER)
WI: Lyudmyla Kichenok/Mate Pavic (UKR/CRO)
US: Anna Danilina/Harri Heliovaara, KAZ/FIN

*U.S. OPEN WHEELCHAIR CHAMPIONS*
[doubles]
2005 Korie Homan & Esther Vergeer, NED/NED
2006 Jiske Griffioen & Esther Vergeer, NED/NED
2007 Jiske Griffioen & Esther Vergeer, NED/NED
2008 --
2009 Korie Homan & Esther Vergeer, NED/NED
2010 Esther Vergeer & Sharon Walraven, NED/NED
2011 Esther Vergeer & Sharon Walraven, NED/NED
2012 --
2013 Jiske Griffioen & Aniek van Koot, NED/NED
2014 Yui Kamiji & Jordanne Whiley, JPN/GBR
2015 Jiske Griffioen & Aniek van Koot, NED/NED
2016 --
2017 Marjolein Buis & Diede de Groot, NED/NED
2018 Diede de Groot & Yui Kamiji, NED/JPN
2019 Diede de Groot & Aniek van Koot, NED/NED
2020 Yui Kamiji & Jordanne Whiley, JPN/GBR
2021 Diede de Groot & Aniek van Koot, NED/NED
2022 Diede de Groot & Aniek van Koot, NED/NED
2023 Yui Kamiji & Kgothatso Montjane, JPN/RSA
[junior singles]
2022 Jade Moreira Lanai, BRA
2023 Ksenia Chasteau, FRA
[junior doubles]
2022 Jade Moreira Lanai & Maylee Phelps, BRA/USA
2023 Ksenia Chasteau & Maylee Phelps, FRA/USA

*WHEELCHAIR SLAM DOUBLES TITLES*
23 - Aniek van Koot, NED [7-8-3-5]*
21 - Esther Vergeer, NED [7-5-3-6]
20 - YUI KAMIJI, JPN [5-4-7-4]*
17 - Diede de Groot, NED [4-5-3-5]*
15 - Jiske Griffioen, NED [5-3-3-4]*
12 - Jordanne Whiley, GBR [3-2-5-2]

*RECENT U.S. OPEN "JUNIOR BREAKOUT" WINNERS*
2014 Marie Bouzkova, CZE
2015 Dalma Galfi, HUN
2016 Viktoria Kuzmova, SVK
2017 Maria Lourdes Carle, ARG & Emiliana Arango, COL
2018 Dasha Lopatetska, UKR
2019 Oksana Selekhmeteva, RUS
2020 [under 18] Katrina Scott, USA
2021 Robin Montgomery, USA
2022 Alex Eala, PHI
2023 Katherine Hui, USA






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TOP QUALIFIER: #15 Wang Yafan/CHN
TOP EARLY-ROUND (1r-2r): #6 Coco Gauff/USA
TOP MIDDLE-ROUND (3r-QF): #2 Aryna Sabalenka/BLR
TOP LATE-ROUND (SF-F): #6 Coco Gauff/USA
TOP QUALIFYING MATCH: Q2 - Elsa Jacquemot/FRA def. #2 Diana Shnaider/RUS 6-7(5)/7-5/6-3 - down 7-6/5-3, saved 7 MP in 2nd set (trailed 5-4, 40/love)
TOP EARLY-RD. MATCH (1r-2r): 1st Rd. - #32 Elise Mertens/BEL def. Mirjam Bjorklund/SWE 3-6/6-3/7-6(10-3) - down 3 MP at 4-5, love/40 in 3rd, won 4 con. pts to hold; wins TB 10-3
TOP MIDDLE-RD. MATCH (3r-QF): 4th Rd. - #20 Alona Ostapenko/LAT def. #1 Iga Swiatek/POL 3-6/6-3/6-1 (improves to 4-0 in head-to-head; Sabalenka replaces Swiatek as singles #1)
TOP LATE-RD. MATCH (SF-F): xx
=============================
FIRST VICTORY: #10 Karolina Muchova/CZE (def. WC Hunter)
FIRST SEED OUT: #8 Maria Sakkari/GRE (1r- lost to Masarova/ESP)
FIRST CAREER SLAM MD WINS: Eva Lys/GER, Lily Miyazaki/GBR
PROTECTED RANKING MD WINS: Jennifer Brady/USA (3rd Rd.); Dasha Saville/AUS (2nd Rd.), Patricia Maria Tig/ROU (2nd Rd.)
LUCKY LOSER MD WINS: Yanina Wickmayer/BEL (2nd Rd.)
UPSET QUEENS: United States
REVELATION LADIES: China
NATION OF POOR SOULS: France (1-6 in 1st; 9 of FRA Top 10 out Q/1r)
CRASH & BURN: #8 Maria Sakkari/GRE (3 consecutive slam 1st Rd. losses)
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEW YORK: #32 Elise Mertens/BEL (5 MP saved 1r/2r; 4-5, love/40 in 3rd vs. Bjorklund/SWE 1r; 2 MP 2nd set TB vs. Collins/USA 2r)
IT ("??"): Nominee: Zheng Q., (de Groot)
Ms.OPPORTUNITY: Nominees: Gauff, (Kamiji)
LAST QUALIFIER STANDING: Kaja Juvan/SLO, Greet Minnen/BEL (3rd Rd.)
LAST WILD CARD STANDING: Caroline Wozniacki/DEN (4r)
LAST BANNERETTE STANDING: Coco Gauff/USA (W)
COMEBACK: Caroline Wozniacki/DEN
VETERAN PLAYER (KIMIKO CUP): Sorana Cirstea/ROU
DOUBLES STAR: x
BIG APPLE BANNERETTE BREAKTHROUGH: Peyton Stearns/USA
BROADWAY-BOUND: "Jabeurwocky"
LADY OF THE EVENING: Alona Ostapenko/LAT
JUNIOR BREAKOUT: Katherine Hui/USA (wild card to finalist)







All for Day 13. More tomorrow.
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